Letters: The media magnifying layoffs under Trump is part of their bias

Media’s focus under Trump administration

Re: “Internal Revenue Service: Layoffs hit Denver’s office,” Feb. 21 news story

I am sorry for anyone who lost their job, as it has happened to me more than once.

I was extremely surprised at all of the attention that The Denver Post and local TV newscasts gave to the recent layoffs at the IRS. Several years ago, a group of us was laid off by the IRS. However, there were no cameras nor reporters at 1999 Broadway to hear our stories nor sympathize with us.

What changed between then and now: Trump is president now and everything negative must be magnified. Media bias is not a myth.

Michael Lash, Parker

Coexisting with wolves requires a “Some, but not all” attitude

Re: “Parks and Wildlife confirms uncollared wolf killed cow,” Feb. 20 news story

Having grown up in rural Virginia, I am aware of the challenges facing farmers and ranchers. I witnessed the challenges my grandparents and parents faced living off the land.

My dad would get upset when the wildlife raided his crops. He developed a philosophy that changed his attitude and blood pressure! Dad decided to grow enough for us and for the animals. He would say, “They can have some, but not all.”

My dad taught me tolerance and coexistence. Recently, I had an epiphany. If ranchers developed this philosophy, it would address concerns, quell distasteful rhetoric, and open the door to coexistence with the reintroduced wolves. It has been said that human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.

The Ted Turner Ranch in Montana is an example of how this attitude can work. In a TV documentary, Ted Turner and Val Asher, wolf biologist, were interviewed, explaining their enlightened attitude towards coexisting with wolves while ranching. Asher said Turner told her, “Well, they (wolves) can have some of them (bison), but they can’t have all of them.” A smile emerged as I fondly recalled that my dad had the same attitude towards coexistence with wildlife!

It is unrealistic to expect zero depredation. It is normal for wolves to take “some.” The data supports that depredation by wolves is minuscule compared to disease, weather, and other predators. This simple, pragmatic philosophy of tolerance, sharing, and “altering one’s attitude” could benefit farmers, ranchers, wolves and other wildlife.  Some, but not all!

Kathy Webster, Littleton

Mark of a caring nation

DEI is common parlance. Diversity involves people from a wide range of social and ethnic backgrounds, genders and social orientations. Equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. Inclusion is the practice of providing opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. These three concepts are the core of all major religions, which call for justice, kindness and empathy.

While I was in the Army in 1960, my Black soldier friends were not allowed to enter Granite City, Ill., after sundown. Later, as a psychotherapist in a Black community, I learned firsthand about segregated communities, employment and housing discrimination, inferior schools, and racially biased voting restrictions and lending practices.

DEI is the mark of a caring nation that grows in character by embracing full acceptance and opportunities for all who are marginalized.

Glenn Gravelle, Centennial

The cost of doing business in Colorado

I resell used merchandise online. I sold a vintage set of napkin rings to a resident of Colorado. They paid sales tax plus a Retail Delivery Fee. The added fee is insane because it is being delivered via the U.S. Postal Service from Delaware during their normal route. The Retail Delivery Fee is a tax. Oh wait, fees are okay, but we cannot have tax increases.

Patrick Kennedy, Harrington, Del.

Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.

Letters: Too late for development next to Belmar Park to change the plans

Belmar Park: Going back to the drawing board isn’t always feasible

Re: “Lakewood’s messy fight can be solved,” Feb. 16 editorial

I read your editorial on the open space fight going on in Lakewood. Your suggestion that the developer should just go back to the drawing board is not realistic. If they had plans that were ready to submit for permit (which it sounds like they did), then a re-design would probably cost in the high six figures to low seven figures for a project of this size.

I can tell you from experience that many new multi-family developments are just not financially viable in today’s interest rate and regulatory environment. That re-design fee could be the difference between this project making financial sense and not. If we can agree that housing affordability is a bigger issue than open space, we should be bending over backward as a community to get more projects started.

All the fees and new green building requirements in the past decade make many potential development projects untenable. And let’s look at the alternative of no development and a vacant office building that will sit and decay over the years to come. We need to be incentivizing new development, not demonizing the developers as evil or greedy and making it harder to build in Lakewood.

Allen Perry, Lakewood

Government funding cuts are not motivated by altruism

Re: “Musk is right to look for waste,” Feb. 16 letter to the editor

Republicans and Democrats alike see it as beneficial to pare down the government. But if you think that’s what Elon Musk has been hired to do, guess again.

He is not finding fraud or wasteful spending because four weeks is not enough time for anyone to thoughtfully and responsibly complete such an enormous task.

There’s a number in mind for money they want to reallocate to the rich through tax cuts, and once they reach that number, the slashing and burning will end.

Ellen Haverl, Denver

The letter writer makes some good points by listing some of the more egregious examples of government waste, but waste like that needs to be excised with a scalpel. Instead, we have an unelected billionaire and a vindictive president taking a chainsaw to vital government agencies. I recently requested refills of some of my VA prescriptions and I’m wondering if there will be a pharmacist to fill them.

Bill Powell, Wheat Ridge

A courageous calling out of cowards

Re: “Colorado’s GOP – with one notable exception – have embraced criminals and violence,” Feb. 16 commentary

I thank Krista Kafer for her courageous honesty in her column. The fact that only one Republican, Rep. Jeff Hurd, spoke out about the pardon of those who attacked our country and police officers is astonishing. Fear of retaliation may be the reason; however, we elected these officials to represent us, and I would think most of us would have liked the violent ones (we can literally see who they are on film) to have faced serious consequences rather than just get released, perhaps to commit more violence.

And to think, the Jeffco Republican party recently elected a convicted felon and election denier as their chair. Who could have predicted that?!

Karen Goldie Hartman, Westminster

Krista Kafer must be applauded for her steadfast courage. Most elected Republicans seem to have lost themselves as they bend the knee in idol worship. Almost like a Biblical prophet, Kafer speaks truth in a GOP wilderness. Her candor is invaluable.

Writing as a Democrat, I will add that we need more Krista Kafers on both sides of the aisle as we, as a nation, struggle to reclaim our moral compass.

Evan Siegel, Westminster

Is fact-checking all that needs attention?

Re: “Fact check the Capitol deaths,” Feb. 16 letter to the editor

The letter writer correctly points out the “deceit” in various claims made that White House law enforcement officers were killed in the Jan. 6, 2021 riots.  Hopefully, he took note of and considered the same Denver Post opinion section’s well-written column by Krista Kafer, decrying the Republican Party state leaders’ collective lack of courage in voicing any disagreement with the Jan. 6 blanket pardons. (And kudos to 3rd District Rep. Jeff Hurd for being the exception). Kafer’s solid Republican credentials are well established — yet she displays a high standard of objectivity.

In a bigger sense, and trending from more current events, the alarming media trend has been apparent — from recurring deceit in Fox News and other outlets repeatedly calling Trump’s 2024 election win “a popular vote landslide” (when Trump received 49.8% of the vote) to Fox News’ repeated reference to the coming “New World Order” (by several of their prime time anchors, as if directed to say so) — is even more chilling.  And, of course, we’ve now witnessed the displacement of several ranking national media outlets — NBC, National Public Radio, CNN — from Pentagon office spaces to make room for such established news luminaries as Breitbart and Newsmax.

These trends should be of great concern to all Americans.

Peter Ehrlich, Denver

The letter ignores the reality of who caused the deaths of the police officers.

If someone suffers strokes after being terrorized by another person and dies shortly after, I think the terrorist killed that person. If a person suffers physical and mental trauma from being terrorized by someone and takes his own life to end the pain, the terrorist killed him, in my opinion.

Perhaps the letter writer should look at the real liar: Donald Trump, who is the reason that the January. 6 terror attack happened. He lied, saying it was a peaceful protest.

Anne Campbell, Denver

Vice president’s presumptuous words in Germany

Re: “Vance speech rankles leaders,” Feb. 16 news story

Regarding Vice President JD Vance’s speech in Munich, there is something incongruent between Vance promoting Germany’s hard-right AfD party, whose fascist ideology trivializes the holocaust, and Vance’s proclaiming support of Israel. I guess the love of fascism knows no bounds.

Steve Morrow, Denver

How can Vice President JD Vance criticize European countries on freedom of speech when President Donald Trump has limited the access of the Associated Press. Freedom of the press is guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and is the 4th pillar of democracy.

Nancy Litwack-Strong, Lakewood

I am thoroughly humiliated to be an American today. In what world is it appropriate for our administration to preach to another democracy on how they should vote? It would be a questionable topic anywhere, but it was particularly questionable in Germany. For our vice president to tell the German leaders they should allow the far-right AfD party to be a part of their government is absolutely abhorrent and out of bounds.

When JD Vance visited the Dachau concentration camp site, how could he miss the very purpose of the memorial and the message: “Never Again.” Fear and intolerance were tools the Third Reich used to divide the people and turn neighbors and even families against each other. That feels very familiar in our own country in recent years.

We also need to pay attention and learn from history. I grew up in the Cold War era, and I always felt lucky and safe. I never dreamed I would feel humiliation instead.

Vicki Timm, Denver

Looking for fresh opera offerings

Re: “An opera love story,” Feb. 16 feature story

It’s a nice opera but how many times do we need to see it? At one time, Opera Colorado was known for its bold and groundbreaking productions. Now it’s the same old stuff over and over. Are Colorado opera fans that dumb? Apparently, Opera Colorado thinks so.

A long time ago, I thought that I would support Opera Colorado to my dying day. Then, they raised their prices and dumbed down their repertoire. I haven’t been in years.

If I want to watch La Boheme, I have a DVD of a production that blows everything else out of the water. It costs me nothing to watch it. I don’t have to drive downtown, and I can sit in a recliner in my den in my pajamas.

Dick Snyder, Greenwood Village

Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.

Letters: The Dolores River lands are important for my tribe, please protect them

Protect the Dolores River landscapes

Re: “Advocates still hoping to protect canyonlands,” Feb. 9 news story

As a proud member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, I welcome the legislative efforts to protect the Dolores River, such as the proposed National Conservation Area in the southern stretch of the river. This landscape is not only ecologically important but holds deep cultural and historical significance for our people.

Ute people and other Indigenous people have lived upon and stewarded these lands for generations, and our ongoing rights to hunt and use these lands are affirmed in the Brunot Treaty of 1874. Protecting it through strong federal designations ensures that its canyons, wildlife and sacred lands will be preserved for future generations.

At the same time, I hope that similar protections will be extended to the northern reaches of the Dolores River in Mesa and Montrose counties. These lands are equally vital, with rich cultural ties to Indigenous history and landscapes that deserve careful stewardship. A comprehensive approach to protecting the lower Dolores should recognize the river’s full significance, from McPhee Dam to Gateway.

It is also essential that tribal voices are heard and our sovereignty be respected throughout this process. The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, along with other Indigenous nations, has a long-standing relationship with this land — one that predates any modern jurisdiction. Our knowledge, perspectives, and concerns should help shape the management of these protected areas.

Andrea Martinez, Cortez

Setting up a regretful legacy on transgender rights

Re: “Trump’s assault on transgender rights isn’t a sign of strength,” Feb. 16 commentary

Like so many things President Donald Trump does, the cruelty is not simply a byproduct but the entire point of his executive order on transgender rights. I agree that it is a profound act of cowardice by a petty, ridiculous man.

I am afraid that it will only be with time, and perhaps a fortuitous personal connection, that the leadership of the Republican Party will recognize it is on the wrong side of history on this issue. Ronald Reagan could not possibly have cared less about federal funding for research on HIV/AIDS — until his old Hollywood chum, Rock Hudson, died of it. Dick Cheney, as rock-ribbed a conservative as ever there was, parted ways with the GOP on the single issue of gay rights. His daughter came out as a lesbian.

One might think that the party of Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation (the executive order of its day) freeing an entire race from bondage, might occasionally wonder whether gratuitous discrimination against a powerless and oppressed minority, no matter how politically expedient at the moment, might one day come to be regarded with a similar contempt and disgust as the institution of slavery itself.

Ross Buchanan, Denver

Respect in the restroom

Re: “Let the girls have their restroom privacy,” Feb. 16 letter to the editor

A letter writer wants to give the girl’s restroom in a local high school a heroic stance: a refuge for girls who are menstruating, a time out from embarrassment. She thinks transgender people need to stay out of a girls’ public bathroom so her precious privacy is maintained.

Here’s the thing: Everyone using the public restroom has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including trans persons.

In stating that she’d be uncomfortable with a trans person using the girls’ public restroom, she’s making it about her own voyeurism, about checking out if people look OK and have the right equipment to use the girls’ bathroom in a private stall where your privacy is secured by a shut door.

What does she expect a trans person to do? Trans persons are not pedophiles or rapists. They are simply people going about their day. Why can’t you mind your own business?

Unisex bathrooms have been around for a long time around the world. It isn’t a big deal. Shut your stall door. Stop judging others. And stop whining about your own victimization when your bigotry against trans persons is the only basis of your complaint.

Susan Altenhofen, Fort Collins

Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.

Letters: What’s the holdup on Colorado tax returns?

Tax returns: What’s the holdup?

Re: “State to begin processing individual tax returns,” Feb. 19 news story

What’s going on at the Colorado Department of Revenue? It has been reported that the department is not processing income tax returns, even though we are in the second half of February! I was just on the revenue website, and there was a banner that said the 2024 return link would be coming soon. “Please check in late February 2025.”

I worked at the Department of Revenue (DOR) for 25 years, the majority of which was as a computer programmer for the income tax system. For 10 years I was the lead programmer on that system. I left in 2013, worked at another agency and retired in 2016. Every year from 1989 to 2008, with one exception (2000), we installed the new year income tax changes by the second business day of the new year, generally Jan. 3.

I was involved in the 2008-2012 project that rewrote the entirety of the tax systems at DOR. We were told that the new system (server-based rather than mainframe-based) would be more efficient and easier to change. I observed the system was faster from my vantage point as a tax-paying citizen.

What’s the problem today?

Ross M Mahoney, Northglenn

Building inspections crucial from the ground up

Re: “Construction defects battle returns with competing bills,” Feb. 20 news story

It’s laudable that residential construction defects laws in Colorado are being reexamined. A key element in any legislation should be making sure that dwellings are properly built in the first place.

I spent my entire career in the home-building industry in different regions of the country and found that the number one factor in assuring quality construction is the local community building inspector. We are in an era where workers may do some of the complicated processes of building a home with insufficient training. The general contractor, busy with myriad business responsibilities, may assume that work is being performed correctly when it’s not. Critical foundation, framing, roofing and other issues get covered up by other materials. Hidden defects can emerge years later.

That is why a robust community building inspection protocol, including penalties for repeated inspection failures, is a major factor in assuring homes are built properly.

Most builders strive to deliver a quality product. Being subjected to the financial penalties — and project delays — associated with inspection failures creates an additional financial discipline to ensure things are done correctly. The results are higher quality homes and happier customers with significantly lower warranty claims and litigation.

Jim Shalvoy, Castle Rock

You should love bus lanes

Re: “How will bus rapid transit impact Colfax?” Feb. 16 news story

Who are bus lanes for? People who physically can’t drive? People who can’t afford a car or gas? People who’d rather scroll social media than drive? Diehard car lovers? Well, yes, yes, yes, and, surprisingly, yes. As you drive past a perfectly good lane that you can’t use, it might feel like it’s the cause of all the traffic. But bus lanes get cars off the road, speed up emergency response, and keep people independently participating in society regardless of ability or age.

People don’t take the bus mainly because it’s too slow. By giving critical bus routes a designated lane, more people will consider taking the bus. As the buses fill, the roads will clear up, meaning fast and stress-free driving!

Many worry that bus lanes will make it harder for emergency services to do their job. After all, every second counts. Emergency services are allowed to use bus lanes conveniently devoid of traffic. So, if someone in your family needs emergency medical care, they will receive it faster in a city with bus lanes on major streets.

My grandpa and brother can tell you just how helpful bus lanes would be, as aging eyes and a spinal cord stroke, respectively, ruled out driving as an option.

Everyone — from those who love traffic-free roads to those who can’t or won’t drive — needs continuous bus lanes. East Colfax is a start, but we must continue to support bus lanes until they can take you anywhere.

August Salbenblatt, Denver

Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.

Letters: Trump deserves shame, not the Nobel Peace Prize, for his collaboration with Putin

President pointing fingers at Ukraine

Re: “Russia, U.S. agree to work toward ending Ukraine war,” Feb. 19 news story

We are experiencing the decline of democracy in this country as President Donald Trump continues his dictator image of taking control of various government agencies that used to be independent for the best interest of the citizens.

As usual, Trump points fingers, like blaming Ukraine for war. But who invaded first?

We used to have a strong checks and balances system on power, but as Trump has control of our weak Congress and Supreme Court, he can dictate his wishes with no one stepping forward to challenge. He and his Russian buddy are cut from the same cloth.

Trump voters, you are getting what you asked for!

Dave Usechek, Parker

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent thinks President Donald Trump should receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his stellar performance on the Ukraine conflict. A more appropriate accolade would be his designation as the recipient of an award named after Vidkun Quisling for capitulation and collaboration with Russia against the Ukrainian people.

It is indeed a sad day for us when our so-called foreign policy is predicated on appeasement, sycophancy to Russia, and collaboration with an accused war criminal.

Mark Boyko, Parker

Trump, Musk move not in the interest “of the people”

Re: Nuclear weapons: “Trump administration tries to bring back fired workers,” Feb. 17 news story

I feel like how an ordinary German must have felt when Adolf Hitler came to power. All of a sudden, our country is not “of the people, by the people, for the people.” It’s becoming “of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich.”

Without regard to existing laws, billionaire President Donald Trump and his unelected, Richest-Man-In-The-World side-kick cut funding for the poorest people in the world. Elon Musk and Trump have fired government workers who implement existing government programs, including those who oversee our nuclear weapons stockpile. Trump put forth unqualified, inexperienced loyalists for Cabinet positions.

Trump is threatening our legitimate media – refusing to allow AP reporters to attend press conferences, threatening to “investigate” NPR and PBS.

The Washington Post, whose tagline is “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” refused to run a “Fire Elon Musk” ad placed by Common Cause. The paper, now owned by Trump ally Jeff Bezos, refused to say why they wouldn’t run the ad.

Musk and Trump use their power against attorneys and judges who are doing their jobs of determining the legality of the laws passed by Congress. And they are dismantling our foreign connections. Is this what we want? Do we want future generations to ask, “Why didn’t they do anything?”

Patricia Hood, Boulder

Professor Chaos and General Disarray continued their swathe of destruction throughout South Park and the rest of America by firing federal employees, including up to 2,000 Department of Energy workers, which was an unwise decision. There’s nothing like eliminating workers tasked with maintaining the safety of nuclear armaments to ensure national security and garner the respect of the rest of the world.

We can only hope that the workers will return, but if not, maybe the DOGE teenage tech bros can figure it out since they learned how to be accountants in just a few days.

Cindy Clearman, Arvada

Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.

To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.